"It's the Super Bowl of our sport," said track general manager Chad Azevedo.

Nanci said he expects from 10,000 to 12,000 spectators to descend on the park near Corydon Street and Mission Trail on the southeastern side of Lake Elsinore.

Dozens of the biggest names in off-road motorcycle racing will be competing, said spokesman Brandon Short of
MX Sports Pro Racing
, the promotional wing for the series.

"It's the national motocross championship in the United States and the most prestigious motocross championship in the world," Short said. "We'll have guys from all over the world. We'll have the best riders here.

"This is the place you want to be if you want to become a star, make a name for yourself and make history."

Some of the luster has been lost in the men's 450 cubic centimeter engine division because leading rider
Ryan Dungey
has already been crowned national champion. None of his competitors have enough points to catch him even if they win Saturday.

But there will be plenty of drama in the 250 c.c. division in which Grand Terrace resident
Blake Baggett
is closing in on his first championship.

Fuel-TV plans to air the early heats live starting at 1 p.m., while NBC Sports Network is expected to air the final races on tape delay at 8 p.m., Short said.

After two years of holding the national finals in Pala in North San Diego County, the race organizers are moving them to the Lake Elsinore facility after its massive overhaul and reopening in December.

"We're excited to go there and see everything they've done since we announced we'd be there back in January," Short said. They have pulled out all the stops in making it a true destination for all off-road activities."

Track management had to shut down the facility to the public in recent days to prepare for the upcoming finals and has been working with city officials to comply with various requirements.

"We're in a tizzy out here and doing everything we can to get ready for this event," Nanci said. "We're working diligently with the city. We have standing meetings every week and so far we're a go with everything."

Warren Morelion, the city's action community development director, said details are starting to shape up to the city's satisfaction.